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Research article
Christopher Partlett
University of Nottingham
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-3412
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: A nested case-control study is an efficient design that can be embedded within an existing cohort study or randomised trial. It has a number of advantages compared to the conventional case-control design, and has the potential to answer important research questions using untapped prospectively collected data.
Methods: We demonstrate the utility of the matched nested case-control design by applying it to a secondary analysis of the Abnormal Doppler Enteral Prescription Trial. We investigated the role of milk feed type and changes in milk feed type in the development of necrotising enterocolitis in a group of 398 high risk growth-restricted preterm infants.
Results: Using matching, we were able to generate a comparable sample of controls selected from the same population as the cases. In contrast to the standard case-control design, exposure status was ascertained prior to the outcome event occurring and the comparison between the cases and matched controls could be made at the point at which the event occurred. This enabled us to reliably investigate the temporal relationship between feed type and NEC.
Conclusions: A matched nested case-control study can be used to identify credible associations in a secondary analysis of clinical trial data where the exposure of interest was not randomised, and has several advantages over a standard case-control design. This method offers the potential to make reliable inferences in scenarios where it would be unethical or impractical to perform a randomised clinical trial.
Keywords
Preterm infants, feeding, neonatology, statistical methods, nested case-control, matching, randomised controlled trial
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Medical Research Methodology.
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 05 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 09 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 30 Apr, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 28 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 23 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 17 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 17 Apr, 2020
Editor assigned
On 16 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 15 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 15 Apr, 2020
Version 1
Posted 16 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 13 Mar, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 11 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 02 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 26 Feb, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 06 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Jan, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 17 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 09 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 04 Dec, 2019
First submitted
On 03 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 03 Dec, 2019
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
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Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Medical Research Methodology.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Christopher Partlett
University of Nottingham
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5139-3412
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Medical Research Methodology.
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Accept
On 05 May, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 09 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 30 Apr, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 28 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 23 Apr, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 17 Apr, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 17 Apr, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 17 Apr, 2020
Editor assigned
On 16 Apr, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 15 Apr, 2020
Editor invited
On 15 Apr, 2020
Version 1
Posted 16 Dec, 2019
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 13 Mar, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 11 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 02 Mar, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 26 Feb, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 06 Feb, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Jan, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 17 Jan, 2020
Editor invited
On 09 Dec, 2019
Editor assigned
On 04 Dec, 2019
First submitted
On 03 Dec, 2019
Submission checks complete
On 03 Dec, 2019
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Medical Research Methodology.
Background: A nested case-control study is an efficient design that can be embedded within an existing cohort study or randomised trial. It has a number of advantages compared to the conventional case-control design, and has the potential to answer important research questions using untapped prospectively collected data.
Methods: We demonstrate the utility of the matched nested case-control design by applying it to a secondary analysis of the Abnormal Doppler Enteral Prescription Trial. We investigated the role of milk feed type and changes in milk feed type in the development of necrotising enterocolitis in a group of 398 high risk growth-restricted preterm infants.
Results: Using matching, we were able to generate a comparable sample of controls selected from the same population as the cases. In contrast to the standard case-control design, exposure status was ascertained prior to the outcome event occurring and the comparison between the cases and matched controls could be made at the point at which the event occurred. This enabled us to reliably investigate the temporal relationship between feed type and NEC.
Conclusions: A matched nested case-control study can be used to identify credible associations in a secondary analysis of clinical trial data where the exposure of interest was not randomised, and has several advantages over a standard case-control design. This method offers the potential to make reliable inferences in scenarios where it would be unethical or impractical to perform a randomised clinical trial.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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